Anyone get those moments when you suddenly realise that you are that person who, when you were younger, you would look at and think that they were really old. As in, write them off as done, kind of old.
Suddenly, you are 50 (ish), like where did the time go? Didn’t it fly?
And yes, whilst midlife is something to embrace, celebrate and have fun with….it is also a poignant time to be reminded of how precious life is and the importance of living for now. Its bittersweet as we enjoy the confidence of knowing who we truly are whilst understanding the fragility of life and things lost.
Midlife is a different beast. Things are done differently. The instruction manual of youth becomes redundant and a new set of instructions are required.
There are a few tell tale signs that come with the territory of midlife.
Wonder if you can recognise any…..
You know you are 50 when…..you get what matters
By the time you hit the half century, you’ve managed to perfect the skill of knowing what you can categorise as important or unimportant. Generally speaking, if it doesn’t involve your children, family, loved ones, pets, health or anything else that ignites a fire in your belly, then it really is superfluous. You’ve got your priorities sorted and you know what counts.
You know you are 50 when…..you stop doing bullshit
Your bullshit sensors are honed to perfection when you hit midlife, meaning that you can smell it a mile off. You stop doing bullshit by simply avoiding, not responding, or walking away from it. You don’t suffer fools gladly and there is no room for nonsense in your life anymore.
You know you are 50 when….you become a little cynical
Cynicism and reality are very close relatives so you have to work very hard to mute those cynical thoughts, no-one likes a Debby Downer. Navigating cynicism and reality is a tricky one because while you want to stay positive and real, life has very probably thrown you a few hard punches so things don’t always shine in the same way. Flowering things up is a thing of the past.
You know you are 50 when…..your cardio workout involves pegging the washing out
OK, I am exaggerating here but your cardio routine has probably dulled down a little as you head over the hill and down the other side. And that is totally fine. A strong power walk can be just as effective as a run and may even be healthier on your bones. Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.
You know you are 50 when…..you truly know yourself
You know who you are, what you stand for and what you don’t stand for. You know what you bring to table – full stop. Even if no one else ‘gets’ you, that’s fine, you know how to eat alone. Need I say more? No excuses, no apologies, no self-judgement or criticism. It really is none of your business what other people think of you. Perfect!!
You know you are 50 when…..you reinvent yourself
You have created your beautiful Pinterest boards, have waited until the time is right and you know it is now. No more hesitating. Get the nose pierced. Do the tattoo. Wear purple. Dye your hair bright pink. Walk away from things that are not working. Change career paths. Do it. You know reinvention is now or never.
You know you are 50 when…..you become honest
You become very honest with yourself and others. Whilst some people could call this rude or impolite, there is no room for anything other than honesty. You trust that your untruth will do no one any favours. Anyway, you know that the truth is like champagne bubbles – it will come up in the end.
You know you are 50 when…..you know when to let go
You know when to walk away or let go of something that is not working. You know that honouring yourself whilst respecting others is a ‘big’ thing to do and as painful as it may be, is necessary for continued growth and self-development. Jumping off and building your wings on the way down isn’t for the faint-hearted but is definitely necessary to be able to move forward in a healthy way.
You know you are 50 when…..you love being alone
You actually realise that you aren’t that bad after all and you enjoy your own company. The trick is to try to find a healthy balance between spending time alone versus becoming a hermit. Other people can quickly become super annoying after spending quality time with me, myself and I! Watch yourself on this one.
You know you are 50 when…..you need less things
You understand the need to simplify and slim back your physical world. You know that material things are empty and scaling back is exactly what you need to do. The simple things in life are what make you happy so you know spending your money on ‘doing’ rather than ‘having’ is your new mantra.
You know you are 50 when….you ditch leggings and opt for treggings
You get that leggings are no longer flattering (enter stage right the Camel Toe), and a trouser that is more structured and made of a thicker material is much more fitting. A great compromise is the tregging which is the much more stylish, rich relative of the legging. Being discerning is key to minimising any fashion faux pas for women over 50 – keep it real girlfriends!
You know you are 50 when….your best night out is a good night in
Admit it, your pjs are your favourite item of clothing. Right? I’m with you on this one, what’s wrong with a pyjama party where only you are invited.
Recognise any? I’m sure there are one or two familiar to you! Whatever your fifty looks like, be sure to do it ‘your’ way so that you can be the best you can be and live a life that is full, happy and meaningful.
